We couldn’t wait!My husband had been sick for weeks fighting a reaction to a pneumonia shot and a sinus infection. He was nearing the end of his antibiotic prescription just in time for our trip to Hawaii.

Suitcases packed with new swimming suits and sunscreen, our dogs were at a friend’s house and we were off to paradise!

It started out great! The sun was warm. The ocean calm. The condo we rented was perfect.

Two days into the trip the nightmare began. My husband’s antibiotics ran out and he began spiraling back into painful sinusitis. We contacted his doctor at home requesting a refill be called into a local pharmacy to get him back to “well.” We had site-seeing, sailing and dinners planned. We were in Hawaii!

Then it was my turn. It began with a throat tickle that quickly moved to a cough and headache. Searching the local area, it took three tries to find an Urgent Care that was open on Saturday. Full blown ear infections for me. We visited yet another pharmacy for my prescription. Our cart was filled with cough drops, juices and tissues.

We were a pair as we carried our pillows from the bed in the morning to the couches for the day. He couldn’t breathe and I couldn’t hear. He would go from reading to napping in short segments of both. I was literally a hot mess- with a fever and exhausted from my incessant coughing. My only relief was propping pillows to stay upright and trying to rest.

We watched out our window as the trade winds blew in- bending the palm trees, causing whitecaps on the ocean and as much turmoil outside as we were experiencing inside.

We felt sorry for ourselves. The vacation we had planned and looked forward to for a year was ruined.

We canceled our romantic dinner reservations and dined on cheese, crackers and juice.

We canceled sightseeing. Our excitement became watching the geckos chase each other across our deck.

Then on the day before our vacation came to an end, in between coughs and sniffling, I said, “What is good about this situation? What’s great about our life?”

We came up with a list:It was good that we were together.It was good that we found pharmacies, doctors and medications - and we could afford to pay for them.We were both miserable, but neither of our afflictions were life-threatening- we would get better.In one of our first days, we met a lovely couple at the pool that we plan to stay in​ contact with.Even though we weren’t out in the sun we still had an amazing view of the ocean.We were fortunate that we had rented a condo with a full kitchen and a separate bedroom instead of a small hotel room.We have a warm and wonderful home to return to.We have money in the bank.We have a great family and friends.We have two fur babies that we adore.

​We went on and on until our list of blessings was so long that we realized no one would, or should, feel sorry for us.

Now, home with the nightmare behind us, we are both feeling better. Our view out the window is of snow. We sit with warm coffee in hand, dogs on our laps and smile at each other.

We have been to Hawaii before and know what a magical place it is.We will return, but for now... There’s no place like home!

Pennie’s Life Lesson:“When you feel sorry for yourself, ask - what is great about your life and the situation you are in. It’s hard to be down when your list of blessings keeps adding up!”

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There is a certain magic about where I live both physically and spiritually – on the crossroads of Spirit and Brave.

It seems appropriate that my writings be found under the sign that locates my life. I wish for all of you the ability to live in your Spirit to experience a life filled with love and gratitude and be Brave in the learning of your life lessons.

PLEASE NOTE: This page does not provide medical or legal advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. Through this site and links to other sites, Pennie Hunt provides general information for inspiration, encouragement and educational purposes only. The information provided in this site, or through links to other sites, is not a substitute for legal, medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call or the advice of your lawyer, physician or other healthcare provider.